What Do We Do With Dad’s Ashes?

Recent research indicates an increasing preference by those client families taking out a fixed price funeral plan, for cremation over burial.

Whilst many of those opting for cremation have cited cost or concern for the environment as determining factors, others have based their decisions upon a change of heart by the Roman Catholic Church. Since 1983 a revision of Vatican canon law has allowed both cremation and burial as means of honouring the body of a deceased Catholic.

But the still unanswered question for many people in favour of cremation is, what to do with a loved one’s ashes, or cremated remains as they are referred to by those in the funeral industry. In fact there are many ways to memorialise cremated remains – some fairly obvious, some not so.

Some people may opt to have the ashes placed in the ground, in a wall niche or columbarium at a cemetery; others may decide to scatter them on a private property or at a place that held some special significance for the deceased. It’s important to remember however that before ashes can be scattered onpublic property, such as a beach, park, or football field, permission must be sought from the appropriate authority.

In more recent times, some people have chosen to have some of their loved ones cremated remains placed inside a pendant worn around the neck. Another ‘jewellery’ option is to have a small portion of the cremated remains crushed into a gemstone that’s identical to a natural diamond. This process, with the aid of modern technology will take just a few months to accomplish.

One company has suggested that someone who was a nature lover or a devotee of water sport, might like to have his or her ashes turned into an artificial coral reef which can be placed on the sea bed or if for you the sky’s not the limit, why not consider having yours or your loved ones cremated remains shot into outer space. One American company is currently offering a number of options for the ‘celestial’ disposition of cremated remains, but be warned, all come with sky high price tags.

If however, all you want is some form of attractive receptacle in which to keep the ashes of your loved one, we at Tobin Brothers Funerals offer a range of beautifully crafted urns which you can view right now on our website: